Fostering growth of basketball in Ghana: Challenges and solutions
Basketball, just like the other least financed sporting disciplines in the country, receives no attention or financial sport from the state. The sport depends on favours from well-wishers and stakeholders who are interested in it.
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It is a sport that has been with us since independence but has suffered the same fate as all others, except football.
However, according to thesporting .blog, the sport was the seventh most popular in the world, played by 450 million people, with a global fan base of 2.2 billion and a presence in 213 countries at local, community and national levels.
In the United States (US), it is a huge sport that has uplifted many out of poverty, created jobs for some and contributed to the growth of the American economy.
The sport in the States is championed by the National Basketball Association (NBA).
According to Forbes, the average value for an NBA franchise in 2022 was $2.86 billion.
The most valuable franchise is the Golden State Warriors ($7.1 billion) while the least valuable franchise is the New Orleans Pelicans ($1.6 billion).
The NBA hit a record-high $10 billion in revenue in the 2021-2022 NBA season.
Basketball in Ghana
The Greater Accra Basketball League, which from time immemorial gave the discipline some oxygen, is beset with many challenges.
The lack of basketball courts, the non-existent rims, backboards, hoops, balls, requisite referees and line judges, among others.
But the sport has a significant potential for growth and development in Ghana.
The current President of the Ghana Basketball Association (GBBA), Ato Van-Ess, revealed after being voted as the president in 2021 that the top of the agenda for him would be to commence the highly anticipated national basketball league.
He also indicated that the GBBA would establish a national basketball training school to harness the development of the sport at the grassroots and national levels.
Both promises are yet to be materialised but it will take more than a rhetoric to develop and grow the sport in the country.
It demands a huge capital injection to tackle infrastructure, the training of personnel and the creation of awareness about the sport.
By highlighting the importance of investing in the sport and creating opportunities for aspiring basketball players, the state can harness its potential to not only entertain but also positively impact Ghana's sports industry, and most importantly economy.
Challenges and solutions
1. Lack of Infrastructure: One of the key challenges faced by basketball in Ghana is the scarcity of facilities and infrastructure. Unlike football, which enjoys extensive funding and resources, the basketball infrastructure is relatively underdeveloped.
This lack of quality venues and basketball courts limits the practice and exposure of young talents in the sport.
2. Public-Private Partnerships: A collaboration between the government and private entities to invest in the construction and maintenance of basketball courts across the country will be key to tackling the infrastructure issue of the sport.
3. Renovation of existing facilities: Rehabilitate existing basketball centres, such as the Lebanon House at Tudu in Accra, Elwak Stadium Basketball Court, and Burma Camp Basketball Court, to provide better opportunities for training and competition.
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4. Establishment of basketball academies: The Youth and Sports Ministry (MOYS) in conjunction with the National Sports Authority (NSA) must invest in specialised basketball academies to identify and train young talents, providing them with the necessary coaching and mentoring.
5. Collaboration with educational institutions: The GBBA must encourage partnerships between local schools and basketball organisations to integrate basketball training into the curriculum, promoting grassroots development.
6. Corporate partnerships: Private corporations must be incentivised to sponsor basketball events and teams, offering financial support and resources to raise the sport's profile.
7. Government support: The government must support and fund initiatives specifically dedicated to basketball development, incentivising investment in the sport.
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